First, you need to grasp the Java language, just write a few text based programs/games to start. If you haven't already gotten an IDE (an IDE is a programming environment where you can edit code, build your application, and test your application), get one. Eclipse is very popular for Java. Then grab an API that'll let you do graphics. I use SFML with C++ when working with 2D, so I bet the Java SFML bindings would be pretty good too. Check it out here: http://en.sfml-dev.org/forums/index.php?topic=4938.0

Other than that, all I can say is follow some tutorials, and Google is your friend.

http://zetcode.com/tutorials/javagamestutorial/

http://www.gamedev.net/page/resources/_/technical/game-programming/java-game-programming-part-i-the-basics-r1262

Read me, and I will answer all of your questions. Money back guarantee!

Granted... it was free...

Read me, and I will answer all of your questions. Money back guarantee!

Granted... it was free...

But wait, you should read me. Not only am I free, I'm easy too! :)

But I do want to ask two things, what languages do you know right now? And how much experience do you have with programming in general?

Read me, and I will answer all of your questions. Money back guarantee!

Granted... it was free...

But wait, you should read me. Not only am I free, I'm easy too!

But I do want to ask two things, what languages do you know right now? And how much experience do you have with programming in general?

Dont you generally just assume close to zero prior experience unless otherwise stated? I do, not sure why.

Read me, and I will answer all of your questions. Money back guarantee!

Granted... it was free...

But wait, you should read me. Not only am I free, I'm easy too!

But I do want to ask two things, what languages do you know right now? And how much experience do you have with programming in general?

Dont you generally just assume close to zero prior experience unless otherwise stated? I do, not sure why.

Well, I don't want to respond with, "Stop what you're doing and learn to program first." Also, there have been times where someone may know, as an example, Python, but heard that it's slow. So then they ask if they should be using C++ or C or even Java. So I ask just to get an understanding of where someone is, before doling out advice. Plus, if you don't have a solid programming background and try to use C++ & SFML or Python & PyGame, then it just causes more problems and takes longer to learn what you are supposed to learn. In some unfortunate cases, the person just gives up altogether.

Not to be off-topic, but have you finished that SFML tutorial yet?

Read me, and I will answer all of your questions. Money back guarantee!

Granted... it was free...

But wait, you should read me. Not only am I free, I'm easy too!

But I do want to ask two things, what languages do you know right now? And how much experience do you have with programming in general?

Dont you generally just assume close to zero prior experience unless otherwise stated? I do, not sure why.

Well, I don't want to respond with, "Stop what you're doing and learn to program first." Also, there have been times where someone may know, as an example, Python, but heard that it's slow. So then they ask if they should be using C++ or C or even Java. So I ask just to get an understanding of where someone is, before doling out advice. Plus, if you don't have a solid programming background and try to use C++ & SFML or Python & PyGame, then it just causes more problems and takes longer to learn what you are supposed to learn. In some unfortunate cases, the person just gives up altogether.

Not to be off-topic, but have you finished that SFML tutorial yet?

Ummmmm.....

It's a momentum thing... Ive tried to finish it a number of times, but somehow, whatever I write is crap. I should have finished it while I had my C++ hat on. In the year since, I've been working a lot in C# ( PS Mobile ), Lua and JavaScript... hard to go back to C++ when your brain is in high level land. :)

I understand. I've been using Racket (through HtDP) for the past couple of months. And oddly enough, when I look at C# or VB.net, I shiver. Well I hope you get around to finishing it, sooner than later :)

Back on-topic, if the OP hasn't programmed in a lot of Java yet, then he should pick up a Java book (How to Program in Java, for example) and go through that book. Then venture into [graphical] game development, IMO. Anyone can plenty of text games in Java. They're easy to do once you know the language.

Ive tried to finish it a number of times, but somehow, whatever I write is crap.

(Going back off topic again; sorry)

Not sure if you two are talking about an article for one of your own websites, or if you're talking about an article for the GameDev article database...but if it's the latter, then I could help you with wording and formatting and such, if that's what you think you're having trouble with. Just shoot me a PM if you want.

Ive tried to finish it a number of times, but somehow, whatever I write is crap.

(Going back off topic again; sorry)

Not sure if you two are talking about an article for one of your own websites, or if you're talking about an article for the GameDev article database...but if it's the latter, then I could help you with wording and formatting and such, if that's what you think you're having trouble with. Just shoot me a PM if you want.

Final off topic post.... :)

Thanks for the offer, but talking about the tutorial linked in my sig. I got to part 9 (or was it 10?) and just kinda stopped. It's pretty complete, and thats kinda why I never finished. There isn't really all that much more I want to cover... smart pointers, and thats about it, but I just cant bring myself to actually finish it.